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General Information

Plant Care Instructions By Steve Brigham

In coastal Southern California, it is important to choose plum trees with a low chilling requirement. A number of Japanese Plum varieties generally fruit well in this climate, and some are even self-fruitful (others need a different variety for pollination). Since fruit is formed on year-old wood, it is often recommended to prune these vigorous trees in the late spring or early summer (rather than in winter), especially if you are pruning to control the size of the tree.

Is Indoor Plant?

No

These month by month plant care tasks are for plants in the following zones :

Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

2. Plant

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

3. Treat for Pest/Disease

If pests or fungal diseases have been a problem, spray trees this month with a dormant spray that combines horticultural oil with lime sulfur.

February

1. Buy

Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

2. Plant

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

March

1. Buy

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

2. Plant

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

3. Fertilize

Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10.

4. Mulch

Mulch to conserve water use.

April

1. Buy

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

2. Plant

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

3. Water

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

May

1. Water

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

2. Prune

If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit.

June

1. Water

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

2. Prune

If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit.

3. Mulch

Mulch to conserve water use.

4. Protect

Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

5. Harvest

Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet.

July

1. Water

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

2. Prune

If you haven\'t already done so, prune trees to control size and branch structure.

3. Protect

Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

4. Harvest

Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet.

August

1. Fertilize

Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10.

2. Water

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

3. Protect

Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

4. Harvest

Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet.

September

1. Water

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

2. Mulch

Mulch to conserve water use.

October

1. Buy

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

2. Plant

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

3. Water

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

November

1. Buy

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

2. Plant

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

December

1. Buy

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

2. Plant

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

Buy

When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!

January

Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

February

Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

March

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

April

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

October

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

November

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

December

Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

Plant

When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?

January

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

February

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

March

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

April

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

October

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

November

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

December

Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

Fertilize

When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?

March

Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10.

August

Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10.

Water

Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?

April

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

May

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

June

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

July

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

August

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

September

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

October

Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

Prune

When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?

May

If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit.

June

If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit.

July

If you haven\'t already done so, prune trees to control size and branch structure.

Mulch

Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?

March

Mulch to conserve water use.

June

Mulch to conserve water use.

September

Mulch to conserve water use.

Protect

When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved?

June

Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

July

Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

August

Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

Treat for Pest/Disease

How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?

January

If pests or fungal diseases have been a problem, spray trees this month with a dormant spray that combines horticultural oil with lime sulfur.

Harvest

When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?

This past winter I wrote two columns about the proper pruning of stonefruits and other deciduous fruit trees. This important chore continues to be one of the more misunderstood gardening responsibilities. I still get comments from readers who say they enjoyed…